CVE-2005-0021
CVE-2005-0021 is a high-severity vulnerability in University Of Cambridge Exim with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.2)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (84th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Affected product: University Of Cambridge Exim
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Multiple buffer overflows in Exim before 4.43 may allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) an IPv6 address with more than 8 components, as demonstrated using the -be command line option, which triggers an overflow in the host_aton function, or (2) the -bh command line option or dnsdb PTR lookup, which triggers an overflow in the dns_build_reverse function.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2005-0021?
- Multiple buffer overflows in Exim before 4.43 may allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) an IPv6 address with more than 8 components, as demonstrated using the -be command line option, which triggers an overflow in the host_aton function, or (2) the -bh command line option or dnsdb PTR lookup, which triggers an overflow in the dns_build_reverse function.
- How severe is CVE-2005-0021?
- CVE-2005-0021 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.
- Is CVE-2005-0021 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (84th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2005-0021?
- CVE-2005-0021 primarily affects University Of Cambridge Exim. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2005-0021?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2005-0021 published?
- CVE-2005-0021 was published on 2005-05-02 and last updated on 2026-06-16.
References
- http://ftp6.us.freebsd.org/pub/mail/exim/ChangeLogs/ChangeLog-4.44
- http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200501-23.xml
- http://www.debian.org/security/2005/dsa-635
- http://www.debian.org/security/2005/dsa-637
- http://www.exim.org/mail-archives/exim-users/Week-of-Mon-20050103/msg00028.html
- http://www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=179&type=vulnerabilities
- http://www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=183&type=vulnerabilities
- http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/132992
- http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2005-025.html
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10347
Affected products (3)
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:4.41:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:university_of_cambridge:exim:4.42:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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